Deadlift – 12″ Base

Wilbur Miller doing a partial deadlift, but still demonstrating the proper foot placement for the 12" base dead lift

Let’s talk about the 12″ Base Deadlift. This lift will be contested in the upcoming USAWA 2011 Nationals held by the Jackson Weightlifting Club in Kirksville, Missouri on June 28th. Make sure you know the rules!

The USAWA Rule Book says:

B1. Deadlift – 12 inch Base

The rules of the Deadlift apply except that the maximum width of foot placing must not exceed 12 inches between the inside of the lifter’s heels. It is recommended that a 12 inch space be marked on the platform by a drawn line or tape.

Now, just to cover all the bases, let’s cover the rules for the Deadlift just to be sure we all understand it:

A. Deadlift

The bar will be placed on the platform at the lifter’s feet, directly in front of the lifter. The lifter will grip the bar with both hands with any grip and any hand spacing. The lifter may use an alternate grip in which the palms of the hands are opposed. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The bar may be uneven during the ascent, but it must finish evenly. The bar may touch the legs during the ascent, but must not be rested on the legs, bounced, hitched, or lowered. Width of feet placement is optional, but the feet must be parallel and in line with the torso. Heels and toes may rise during the lift, but foot placing must not change. No substance of any kind may be applied to the legs. When the legs are straight, the arms are straight, the shoulders erect, the bar motionless, the lifter will receive a command from an official to lower the bar. The bar must be returned to the platform under control for the lift to be complete.

Pretty straight forward! At the Nationals this year we WILL have tape on the floor to help the lifters and judges make the call.